Non-elastic hair tie

ABSTRACT

A non-elastic hair tie composed of a strong and flexible inner cord having opposing ends, covered.along its length with a smooth material that does not catch onto hair strands, the material secured at each end of the cord, and a method for making same.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the field of hair holding devices and accessories therefor, which are utilitarian fashion accessories used to gather and secure loose hair. More particularly, the present invention is in the technical field of hair straps.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a non-elastic hair tie especially directed to use for those with thicker hair textures or curly hair that is often difficult to gather into an elastic hair tie without causing breakage of the hair or the hair accessory.

One disadvantage of elastic hair ties is the breakage caused when the elastic catches the hair and pulls the hair out when the hair tie is removed. This happens especially so for those whose hair is coarse, thick or curly and stretches the limits of the elastic hair tie. The elastic hair tie itself often breaks.

Some non-elastic hair ties in the industry, however, have the disadvantage that they are less strong and less able to securely hold thick, coarse or curly hair in more elaborate styles.

Many hair ties in the industry are composed of a closed loop. A disadvantage of the closed loop hair tie is that various sizes of hair tie are needed based on how much hair is gathered and secured with the hair tie.

Accordingly, it is desirable to provide an improved non-elastic hair tie that is flexible yet strong enough to accommodate and tame thicker, coarse or curly hair without causing hair breakage (or hair tie breakage), in a universal size to accommodate all hair types.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to a hair holding device, composed of a strap with a strong non-elastic inner core secured within a smooth outer covering. Each hair tie is made by inserting the non-elastic inner core within an outer tube of material that will not catch hair strands.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a non-elastic hair tie accessory that addresses the noted disadvantages of other hair ties, and prevents or eliminates hair breakage, and prevents or eliminates hair tie breakage.

It is an object of the present invention to provide for a hair tie with an open loop—a strap—that allows for and accommodates varied thicknesses of hair, and multiple styles without requiring multiple sizes of hair tie accessories.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a hair tie with a strong inner core to address the strength missing in the non-elastic hair tie accessory, to hold thick, coarse or curly hair securely, even in more imaginative styles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the hair tie of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view of a user wearing the hair tie of the present invention.

FIG. 3A is a view showing manufacture of the outer tube of the hair tie of this invention.

FIG. 3B is a view showing an alternate manufacture of the outer tube of the hair tie of this invention.

FIG. 4 is a view showing an alternate manufacture of the outer tube of the hair tie of this invention.

FIG. 5 is a view showing an alternate manufacture of the outer tube of the hair tie of this invention.

FIG. 6 is a view showing an alternate manufacture of the hair tie of this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention is directed to a non-elastic hair tie, having a non-elastic inner cord with opposing ends and covered along its length with an outer fabric or other smooth and flexible material, secured to the inner cord.

Referring to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the hair tie 100 is illustrated. Hair tie 100 includes inner cord 102 with opposing ends 104 and 106, and is covered along its length with outer fabric material 108 and secured to the inner cord at one of both of the opposing ends 104/106.

Referring to FIG. 2, the hair tie 202 of the present invention is illustrated securing the hair of a wearer 204 by being wrapped one or more times around the gathered hair 206 of the wearer.

Referring to FIGS. 3A-B, alternative embodiments of the manufacture of the outer material of the hair tie of this invention are shown as outer tube 302 formed by a smooth fabric 304, such as silk or satin, with side edge 306 and bottom edge 308 stitched to form a tube 302 with an opening at one end 310.

Referring to FIG. 3B, an alternative manufacture is illustrated of the outer tube 312 formed by material such as silk or satin fabric 314 with side edge 316, formed by a stitch along edge 316 to form a tube 312 with openings at each opposing end 318/320.

Referring to FIG. 4, the manufacture of the hair tie 400 of the present invention is completed by inserting non-elastic inner cord 402 within the smooth fabric tube 404 manufactured as illustrated in FIGS. 3A-B, and reversing the tube 404 so that the stitched seam 406 is contained within the hair tie 400 and the cord 402 is covered along its length by the outer tube 404.

Referring to FIG. 5, an alternative manufacture of the outer fabric tube 500 of the present invention is illustrated and shows the outer material 502 having an edge 504 is rolled lengthwise onto itself and secured with glue (or other securing means) to form tube 502 with open ends 506 and 508.

Referring to FIG. 6, an alternative manufacture of the hair tie of this invention is shown by inserting cord 602 through the outer fabric tube 604 having a seam 606 formed as described and illustrated in FIG. 5. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A hair tie, comprising: a length of non-elastic inner cord having opposing ends, covered along its length with an outer material that does not catch hair strands, the outer material being secured to the inner cord.
 2. The hair tie of claim 1 wherein the inner cord is comprised of woven nylon.
 3. The hair tie of claim 2 wherein the outer material is satin or silk fabric.
 4. The method of making a non-elastic hair tie by creating a tube of smooth, flexible material, then inserting an inner cord with opposing ends into the tube and securing the cord within the tube at each end of the cord.
 5. The method of claim 4 where the tube of smooth, flexible material is formed using a length of fabric rolled and secured along its length and the cord is inserted within the tube and secured at one or both opposing ends of the cord.
 6. The method of claim 4 where the inner cord is woven nylon.
 7. The method of claim 6 where the outer tube material is satin or silk fabric.
 8. The method of claim 4 where the tube of smooth material is a length of fabric having opposing long edges, and securely connected along its long edges.
 9. The method of claim 8 where the opposing long edges are connected by sewing the edges along their length to create a seam, and reversing the tube of smooth material by turning the seam inside, and the cord is secured within the smooth tube using a stitch sewn through or into one or both opposing ends of the cord. 